5★
Liège–Bastogne-Liège
The 112th edition of Liège-Bastogne-Liège, cycling's oldest Classic ('La Doyenne'), runs 259.5km from Liège down to Luxembourg via Bastogne, then back north through the Ardennes hills to finish in central Liège. The 2026 route retains the classic architecture with a reworked middle section: the Côte de Saint-Roch now comes later at km 83.7, then the Col de Haussire (last used in 1995) at km 132.4. After Vielsalm, three climbs in 10km - Wanne, Stockeu, and Haute-Levée - ignite the back half. The finale stacks Col du Rosier (longest of the day), Maquisard, Desnié, the iconic Redoute at 34km to go, Côte des Forges at 23.3km, and the final attacking platform on the Roche-aux-Faucons with 13.3km to a fast Liège finish. Ten classified climbs total over a day of relentless attrition.
Where to watch
⚠️ Spoiler warning: live streams and broadcaster home pages may show current standings. Disable autoplay & avoid sidebar recommendations on YouTube.
Liège-Bastogne-Liège
Where the race is made
Who to watch
Narratives to watch
- Pogačar chasing another Monument scalp; could extend his stranglehold on Ardennes Classics
- Evenepoel-Pogačar rematch after both targeted LBL — Belgian wants to deny Pogačar on home roads
- Lidl-Trek deploys three legitimate co-leaders (Skjelmose/Ciccone/Ayuso) — tactical question of who races for the win
- Roche-aux-Faucons (~13km from finish) is the modern decisive climb — whoever attacks there typically wins solo or in a small group
Form book & lore
Liège-Bastogne-Liège is the oldest Classic on the calendar, first run in 1892. Known as La Doyenne ('the old lady'), it is the toughest of the Ardennes Classics and the final Monument of the spring. From 1992-2019 the race finished in the industrial suburb of Ans with the Côte de Saint-Nicolas as the final climb; in 2019 the finish returned to central Liège with the Roche-aux-Faucons as the closing selective climb. The race typically covers over 250km with around 4,300m of climbing - Tony Rominger once compared the total elevation to an Alpine stage of the Tour. Iconic climbs include La Redoute, introduced 50 years ago, where legends such as Philippe Gilbert, Bob Jungels, and recent dominators have all made race-winning moves.
When to tune in
The race doesn't really start until the Côte de Saint-Roch at 175km to go, and often sits neutralised through the Haussire. Tune in for the trio of Wanne/Stockeu/Haute-Levée - the first genuine selection. The crucial hour of TV is the final 60km from Col du Rosier onwards. Watch for the first moves on La Redoute (34km to go) - historically where the race is won. The Roche-aux-Faucons is the last chance for escapes; if the group is still together over its summit, expect a bunch kick in Liège. Spoiler caution: YouTube sidebar/autoplay frequently contains the finishing kilometres in thumbnails - disable autoplay and avoid the sidebar.